If you’re an iPhone user, you might have encountered issues when trying to play certain video files on your device. This is because not all video formats are supported by iPhones.
The default media player on your iPhone, the Videos app, can handle most containers, but not all of them.
If you have a video file with an unsupported extension, you might need to convert it to a compatible format to play it on your iPhone.
Some of the supported video formats by iPhones include .mp4, .mov, .m4v, and .3gp. On the other hand, unsupported video formats include .wmv, .avi, .mkv, and .flv.
If you have a video file with an unsupported extension, you have two options. You can either convert the file on your computer using video conversion software or use a third-party media player app on your iPhone that supports the video format.
In this article, we will explore the various iPhone video formats, how to troubleshoot unsupported video formats, and how to convert video formats for iPhone.
Supported iPhone Video Formats
When it comes to iPhone video formats, there are a few different options that are supported by Apple devices.
In this section, we’ll take a look at the various formats that your iPhone can handle, including H.264 and MPEG-4, HEVC, Motion JPEG, and ProRes.
H.264 and MPEG-4
H.264 and MPEG-4 are two of the most common video formats used on iPhones. They are both highly compressed formats that offer excellent video quality while taking up relatively little storage space.
H.264 is particularly popular for online streaming, while MPEG-4 is often used for local playback.
HEVC
HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) is a newer video format that offers even better compression than H.264 and MPEG-4.
This means that you can store more videos on your iPhone without taking up as much space.
HEVC is also capable of supporting HDR (High Dynamic Range) video, which offers a wider range of colors and brightness levels.
Motion JPEG
Motion JPEG is an older video format that is still supported by iPhones. It is a less compressed format than H.264 and MPEG-4, which means that it takes up more storage space.
However, it is still a viable option if you need to capture video on your iPhone and want to maintain the highest possible quality.
ProRes
ProRes is a professional video format that is used primarily by filmmakers and video editors.
It offers the highest possible quality for video recording, but takes up a significant amount of storage space.
ProRes is not typically used for everyday video recording on an iPhone, but is an important option for professionals.
In addition to these video formats, iPhones also support AAC audio and slo-mo video recording.
It’s important to note that not all iPhones support all of these formats – for example, older iPhones may not be capable of recording in HEVC.
However, if you have a newer iPhone, you should be able to take advantage of these various video formats and recording options.
Unsupported iPhone Video Formats
When it comes to playing videos on your iPhone, not all formats are supported. In this section, we’ll discuss some of the unsupported video formats on your iPhone.
AV1 and VP9
AV1 and VP9 are two video codecs that are not supported by iPhones. These codecs are used for high-quality video streaming, but unfortunately, iPhones do not support them.
If you have a video with AV1 or VP9 codec, you will need to convert it to a supported format before you can play it on your iPhone.
MKV Files
MKV files are also not supported by iPhones. MKV is a popular video container format that is used for high-quality video playback.
If you have a video in MKV format, you will need to convert it to a supported format like MP4 or MOV before you can play it on your iPhone.
AVCHD and AVC
AVCHD and AVC are two video formats that are not supported by iPhones. AVCHD is a format used by many camcorders, while AVC is a format used for high-quality video playback.
If you have a video in AVCHD or AVC format, you will need to convert it to a supported format before you can play it on your iPhone.
Other Unsupported Formats
There are also other video formats that are not supported by iPhones, including ulaw, PCM stereo audio, and some others.
If you have a video in one of these formats, you will need to convert it to a supported format before you can play it on your iPhone.
Converting Unsupported Video Formats
If you have a video file with an unsupported format on your iPhone, you can convert it to a supported format using a video converter. Here are some options to consider:
VideoProc Converter
VideoProc Converter is a powerful tool that can convert video files to iPhone supported formats. Here’s how to use it:
- Open VideoProc Converter and click on the Video button on the main interface.
- Drag and drop the problematic video into the window or click on the +Video button to load the damaged video.
- Choose the preferred video format that iPhone supports.
- Click on the Cut button below the video information.
VideoProc Converter supports various video formats, including AVI, WMV, MKV, FLV, and more. It also supports hardware acceleration, which speeds up the conversion process and reduces the load on your CPU.
Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature that uses your computer’s GPU to speed up the video conversion process.
It can significantly reduce the time it takes to convert a video file, especially if the file is large or in a high-resolution format.
To use hardware acceleration, you need a video converter that supports it. VideoProc Converter is one such tool, but there are others available as well.
Make sure to check the system requirements before using hardware acceleration, as it may not be supported on all devices.
In summary, converting unsupported video formats to iPhone supported formats is easy with the right tools.
VideoProc Converter is a reliable option that supports a wide range of video formats and hardware acceleration, which can speed up the conversion process.
iOS 16 and Video Formats
With the release of iOS 16, Apple has made some significant changes to the way iPhones handle video formats. Here are some things you should know:
Supported Video Formats
iOS 16 supports a wide range of video formats, including:
- H.264
- HEVC (also known as H.265)
- MPEG-4
- Motion JPEG
- ProRes
These formats are supported for both recording and playback, so you should have no trouble playing back videos that you record with your iPhone.
Unsupported Video Formats
While iOS 16 supports a wide range of video formats, there are still some formats that are not supported. These include:
- AVI
- MKV
- WMV
- FLV
If you try to play back a video in one of these formats, you may encounter issues. However, there are ways to convert these videos into a format that is supported by iOS 16.
For example, you can use a video converter app to convert the video into a format like H.264 or MPEG-4.
HEVC vs. H.264
One of the big changes in iOS 16 is the increased use of the HEVC video format. This format is designed to provide better compression than the older H.264 format, which means that videos take up less space on your iPhone.
However, not all devices support HEVC playback. If you try to play back a video in HEVC format on a device that doesn’t support it, you may encounter issues.
To avoid this, you can use the “Most Compatible” option in the Camera app to record videos in the older H.264 format.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the video formats supported by your iPhone is crucial to ensure that you can play and edit your videos without any issues.
While your iPhone can handle most containers, there are still some unsupported video formats that you need to be aware of.
To summarize, the following video formats are supported by your iPhone:
- H.264
- H.265
- M-JPEG
- MPEG-4
On the other hand, the following video formats are not supported by your iPhone:
- WMV
- AVI
- MKV
- FLV
If you have a video file with an unsupported extension, you have two options. You can convert your file on your computer using video conversion software or use a third-party media player app that supports the video format.
It’s also important to note that the default recording format for your iPhone is H.264 QuickTime files in MOV format.
However, if you have changed your iPhone recording setting into the “High Efficiency” option, your iPhone will capture media in HEVC format, also known as H.265.
In conclusion, understanding the video formats supported by your iPhone is essential to ensure that you can enjoy your videos without any issues.
By following the guidelines above, you can ensure that your videos are always compatible with your iPhone and can be played and edited without any problems.